Seven years after it was first revealed.
The Tesla Roadster will go into production by the end of 2024, with the final design and engineering touches to be completed this year, said Elon Musk last week. The 51-year-old CEO shared this update via Twitter Spaces, admitting to listeners that Tesla is “certainly testing the patience of our reservation holders.”
First revealed in 2017 (alongside the Semi truck), Tesla wowed the world with impressive claimed performance figures. At the time, the manufacturer said the Roadster could sprint to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds and reach a top speed of over 250 mph. Since then, six years have passed and people have grown tired of Tesla's delays.
Musk blamed supply chain issues two years ago for the Roadster's delay. In all fairness, this problem plagued the entire automotive industry.
But other carmakers across the globe were still able to introduce new models – some of which were revealed after the Roadster. That same year, Musk claimed the all-electric supercar would arrive in 2023. Hopefully, there is some accuracy to the latest claims, as would-be customers have been waiting for ages.
Tesla or Musk has not shared where the halo vehicle would be built. However, the company can expect to ramp up its manufacturing capacity in the coming months. Not only is the Cybertruck expected to enter production at the end of 2023, but reduced prices across the lineup have probably increased demand for existing products like the Model Y crossover and Model 3 sedan.
Then again, the Roadster won't enjoy the mainstream appeal of the rest of the range, so production will likely be limited.
NEWS: @elonmusk just reiterated on Spaces the new @Tesla Roadster will reach production by the end of 2024, with final design and engineering to be completed this year.
“We are certainly testing the patience of our reservation holders.” pic.twitter.com/W0WziBWDr9
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) May 25, 2023
As a low-volume seller, Tesla won't have to worry about expanding production capacity too much. Tesla has made no mention of where the high-speed EV will be built. Perhaps the brand will establish a small facility and team dedicated to crafting the Roadster in limited numbers.
Tesla stopped accepting orders for the Roadster in 2021, but some customers placed $50,000 deposits as far back as 2017. These costly reservations were reportedly for the Founders Series trim, which will be limited to 1,000 units. Currently, the website does not mention the price, but reservations have been re-opened. With no price available, it may cost substantially more than the $250,000 price first mentioned all those years ago.
A base model will also be offered at around the $200,000 mark. We're guessing numerous changes will be heading the Roadster's way before it makes an official debut.
Keyword: Elon Musk Says Tesla Roadster Entering Production In Late 2024